As we’ve been seeing lately, everything politicians have done since birth ends up being in the news—especially during election time. Game show appearances are no exception, so check out these seven politico contestants. Some did surprisingly well; others should definitely stick to their day jobs. 1. Ronald Reagan on I’ve Got a Secret, 1961 A pre-politics Reagan gives Henry Morgan and Steve Allen a radio announcer’s test to see if he can make them laugh in the middle of the “audition.” If... READ ON

You might have to be 35 to run for president, but you can become mayor of a town much, much sooner. Qualifications for the job vary depending on the size of the city and its need, but some ambitious teenagers have stepped up in recent decades and, thanks to local elections, been voted into office. While their peers were worrying about things like homecoming dances and football games, these kids were attending local board meetings and planning for their constituents' future. Here's a look at seven of the... READ ON

You've probably heard that The Dude from The Big Lebowski is loosely based on a real guy named Jeff Dowd. But what you probably haven't seen is this twenty-minute documentary about Dowd, explaining himself in his own words. The film touches on Dowd's history with politics and independent film, and we see Dowd as a complex character -- is he dedicated to political change, is he coasting on a movie he didn't make, or is he somehow doing both? The film gives you a decent amount of information to make that... READ ON

An October surprise is any bit of news that breaks right before an election that has the capability to help determine the outcome of the race. Since voters are often swayed by these revelations, the right October surprise can swing a losing campaign right into White House. Here are a few notable examples.1968: LBJ calls off the bombs.The 1968 race between Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey looked like it would be an electoral rout. Nixon successfully ferreted away Southern Democrats who... READ ON